Energy-saving potential of heating networks in Russia

¹ Institute for Regional Economic Studies Russian Academy of Sciences, 38, Serpuhovskaya str., 190013, Saint Petersburg, Russia
² ITMO University, Faculty of Technological Management and Innovations, 49, Kronverksky ave., 197101, Saint Petersburg, Russia

^* Corresponding author: Nata_C@bk.ru

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the study and search for solutions to one of the most important problems within the modern Russian economy – the problem of energy saving. The relevance of this topic is due to the unprofitability of the heat supply industry, the one main reasons of which is the unsatisfactory condition of fixed assets. The paper considers the most important element of heat supply: the transfer of heat energy to consumers through the heat network. It has been presented an overview and analysis of the state of heating networks in 2014-2019 on average in Russia and particularly: in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the Northwestern Federal District. The value of economic losses incurred by heat supply organizations due to heat losses in their heating networks is obtained. In monetary terms, the energy-saving potential was obtained while reducing heat losses in the pipelines up to 4%. For the whole country, this potential amounted to more than 100 billion rubles a year. As the analysis of the experience of foreign countries with similar climatic conditions, such as Denmark, Norway, and Finland, has shown, Russia can significantly increase the efficiency of heat supply through the use of innovative technologies.